Colorado tax holiday on disaster supplies rejected

DENVER—Colorado Democrats rejected a Republican proposal for a sales-tax holiday on disaster preparedness items like first aid kits, flashlights and bottled water.

The proposal would have created a state sales tax holiday on the first weekend in September this year and the following two years for disaster preparedness items. Democrats on a House committee defeated the proposal Thursday on a 7-6 party-line vote.

Colorado Springs Republican Rep. Dan Nordberg says his bill would've encouraged people to be prepared in case of an emergency. Democrats like the idea, but worry about the sales taxes the state would lose while the economy is recovering.

Bill drafters say Alabama and Virginia have similar tax holidays on emergency supplies. Florida and Louisiana created temporary tax holidays in recent years for such items.